The president of T&T hosted a cocktail reception to inaugurate the Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists conference, which was held in Trinidad on October 29 and 30. We are very proud that Trinidad is hosting this conference and that there would be greater awareness about essential therapy services. As we strive to provide better holistic services for children and adults there are glaring shortcomings in the Public Service.
The very basic services of speech therapy and occupational therapy are virtually non-existent. It is also very expensive to access regular therapy privately. The many patients who suffer with stroke or neurodisability and children with developmental problems are not able to access these services due the very sparse availability in the Public Service.
This problem has been ongoing for decades yet the procurement of basic therapy services needed for rehabilitation has not been given any priority in healthcare. Currently, only physiotherapy is available but speech therapy and occupational therapy are virtually non-existent.
As we strive to be a developed country, it is time that we get these basics right in terms of healthcare services.
Dr Prithiviraj Bahadursingh
Consultant Community Paediatrics, SWRHA